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Published: April 23, 1998

The contrasting options in the Argentina attack were responsible for the decisive moments in this game.

Young pretender Ariel Ortega and all-time great Gabriel Batistuta ably demonstarted why the South American challenge for the World Cupo this summer extends beyond holders Brazil.

With their defence yielding little to a young Irish side, Argentina were free in midfield to get the ball through to their frontmen who offered the choice of two different attacking options.

Batistuta was all pace and power, ever-hunting for the chance to add to his impressive international goal tally, the highest in the history of the Argentine national side. He is excellent at receiving the ball with his back to goal and bringing others into the game before running through onto passes to unleash powerful shots and headers. Ortega likes the ball to feet and he uses his excllent strength and balance to shield it from opponents as he goes on darting runs into the weakest parts of a defence. He is a fine crosser and subtle passer.

The veteran was the first to succeed in Dublin. Claudio Lopes, whose passing in midfield impressed throughout the game, crossed in the 28th minute for Batistuta to make the run and hit the ball across goal and in.

Ortega had passed the ball to Lopes for that move but tired of supporting he took centre stage with a marvelous individual goal of extravagant skill. Reaching the edge of the box and faced with a mass of defenders he worked space with a dummy and lifted the ball over a goalkeeper he could barely see. Ortega delivered the ball with the right height to send it dropping into the goal behind for a magic football moment enjoyed by all who saw it.